Object To collect and summarize high quality clinical evidence on the use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in health care generally. Method We searched MEDLINE (1980-2006), The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2006) and the China Biomedicine Database (1982-2006) for systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials. The quality of included studies was critically evaluated. Result Thirteen systematic reviews (12 Cochrane reviews) on HBO were included. Results showed that HBO had some beneficial effect on acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, multiple sclerosis, malignant otitis externa, idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. It might also promote chronic wound healing and relieve radiation damage.Conclusions Since the avaliable randomized controlled trials for the systematic reviews we included are too small, further well-designed multicentre large-scale trials are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of HBO .
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sodium citicoline tablets in the treatment of acute cerebral hemorrhage within 72 hours from the onset. Methods A randomized , double -blind, double-dummy, active control clinical study was performed. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups. The treatment group （18 cases） received sodium citicoline tablets （0.2 g tid） and placebo capsule （0. 2 g tid）, while the control group （18 cases） received sodium citicoline capsule （0.2 g tid） and placebo tablets （0. 2 g tid）. The duration of treatment was 21 days for the two groups. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） and Barthel Index （BI） were used to evaluate the recovery of neurological functions. Results NIHSS and BI scores increased significantly in both groups after treatment （P 〈0. 01 ）. There was no statistical difference of the improvement between the two groups （P 〉0. 05）. No adverse drug reaction or significant change in laboratory norms was found in either group. Conclusions Sodium citicoline tablets is effective and relatively safe in the treatment of acute cerebral hemorrhage. The efficacy and safety of sodium citicoline tablets in the treatment of acute cerebral hemorrhage is similar to that of sodium citicoline capsule.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of foscarnet and ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods We searched MEDLINE (1966 to 2005.12), EMBASE (1974 to Dec.2005), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4,2005), CBM (1978 to Dec.2005), CMCC (1994 to Dec. 2005), CNKI (1994 to Dec. 2005) and VIP (1989 to Dec. 2005). We identified randomized controlled trials of foscarnet versus ganciclovir. Two independent reviewers collected and evaluated details of study populations, interventions, and outcomes using a data extraction form. We conducted meta-analysis of the homoeonomous data. Result Three studies involving 451 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed foscarnet was better than ganciclovir with the following outcomes: mortality (RR=0.84, 95%CI 0.70 to 1.00, P=0.05); male genital ulcers (RR=1.29, 95%CI 0.60 to 2.82, P=0.002). There were no significant differences in ocular symptoms, relapses and other side effects. Conclusion Foscarnet in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients may be more benefical than ganciclovir with regard to mortality and male genital ulcers, but the supporting evidence is not very b because there are only three trials.